My biggest job these days is being a mom. And, well: this mom bikes.
Who is This Mom Bikes?
My name is Lindsay Bliek, B.Sc., B.Ed., and I am a one-woman show, although periodically I host content from other cargo biking parents to gain a wider perspective.
I am a mom who uses a cargo bike to get around. I have been riding bikes for over 30 years and am the recipient of the 2019 Commuter of the Year award from Bike Calgary. I seek out protected infrastructure, like pathways and cycle tracks, and I am confident enough to ride on some (but not all) roads (with my kids).
Why write This Mom Bikes?
This Mom Bikes exists primarily as an advocacy site. To share experiences and illustrate that living ‘car lite’ is doable. To inform through experience how you can ride with: babies, infants, toddlers, and so on. Explaining what a cargo bike is, the different types, and all of the various ways to carry kids. How to buy the right bike — new or used — for your kid with solid advice, not a flimsy buying guide. Why and how to increase active transportation at your school. Plus, inspiring families to take on small adventures by bike, near home and afar.
For women and children
Woman are still in the minority of people who ride bicycles. I want to see that change, and soon. Many women of my background are caregivers that are primarily responsible for the movement of their children and it can be a heavy burden (pun intended). When we add infrastructure to cities we see an increase in women and families traveling by bike, which has a positive ripple effect like you cannot even imagine, on health, on productivity, you name it.
For freedom of movement
I want to live in a city that leads the way. I want my city to design infrastructure for people that makes women confident to travel by whatever means is appropriate, on foot or cycling, and — most importantly — I want my children to be able to move freely in their neighbourhood.
What’s in a name?
By calling this blog ‘This Mom Bikes’, I highlight that I am a mother, not just because I want to encourage more women to use bicycles to get around town, but more so because I want to emphasize that I am not a whole bunch of other stereotypes that enshroud people who use a bike to get around: male, hardcore, clad in spandex, or some kind of evangelical hippy. I am “just” a mom. When you see me at preschool drop-off or school pick-up or taking my kids to dance or swimming lessons, I am still that mom who needs a shower, craves eating spicy food again, and really enjoys a glass of wine at night. I am not whoever you think I am, I am just me. I am not “hardcore”. I am not “a diehard environmentalist”. I am not a “pariah”. Sure, I like to ride bikes, but otherwise I am “just” a mom, like your mom, or your partner, or your friend: I’m a person.
Background and education
My formal education informs my perspective. I am an educator (B.Ed.) with a background (B.Sc.) in studying how the body works (“Physiology“) and how health intersects with society (“Social Studies of Medicine”). I am not an engineer. I am not a planner. (Admittedly, I’ve been living with one for almost 20 years.) One of my goals of writing is to learn more about the processes that inform how I am able to (safely) move through my city.
In a nutshell, my current work includes being a full-time parent, writing here, and working part-time as an Active School Travel Facilitator. Click here for my online resumé. And read my more detailed about page to learn more about my cycling background and so on.
Direction
So, keep your eyes peeled on this site as I write about this journey of active transportation (with kids). I sincerely hope that I can convince you that what I do should not be on the periphery of society, rather it should be the norm for many people, and I hope that you will join me.
More information and contact
Curious about what I have been up to lately beyond this blog? Here is a list of my recent work and qualifications. Want to read more about my perspective and background? Why trust This Mom Bikes. Want to get in touch? Contact me.
